News releases

Tendele Coal Mining, the operator of Petmin’s Somkhele anthracite mine in KwaZulu-Natal, continues to focus on safety and productivity improvements to reduce costs and maximize production and sales in difficult trading conditions.

During the quarter to end-September 2016, Somkhele increased anthracite sales by 2% and maintained production costs per tonne in line with FY15.

Energy coal production increased by 1% to 86 474 tonnes for the quarter (2015: 86 032 tonnes). Although sales for this product in the quarter were down, this was a timing issue related to planned export vessels and is not reflective of the continued strong demand for this product. 55 920 tonnes of energy coal were sold in the three-month period (2015: 85 190 tonnes).

While sales volumes have improved in 2016, average export prices (in Rand terms) for the three months ended 30 September 2016 were some 18% lower than the average prices achieved in the year ended 30 June 2016. Average inland prices remained unchanged from the average prices achieved in the year ended 30 June 2016. At-mine-gate energy coal sales prices have increased by 1% from those achieved in the year ended 30 June 2016.

Export prices have been extremely volatile since 30 June 2016. We expect export prices in Rands to improve in the period to 30 June 2017, although the volatility of the markets makes it difficult to accurately forecast the Rand prices in the period ahead.

Sales commitments have been received for 1.16 million tonnes of an estimated 1.5 million tonnes of anthracite sales expected for the year ending 30 June 2017. The remaining tonnes are under offer and confirmation of these sales is expected.

Sales commitments have been received for 400 000 tonnes of an estimated 450 000 thousand tonnes of energy coal sales expected for the year ending 30 June 2017.The balance of these tonnes are under offer and negotiations are expected to be concluded for all remaining tonnes.

DROUGHT AND WATER SHORTAGE

The recent rains in KwaZulu-Natal has provided much needed relief and Somkhele’s water storage dams are full and we have sufficient process water for the foreseeable future.

NORTH ATLANTIC IRON CORPORATION (NAIC) PROJECT UPDATE

During the quarter ended 30 September 2016, the Petmin board approved an additional $4 million investment into NAIC, subject to various conditions. At the time of this update, the conditions have not been met and the additional investment has not been made.

Management has received a draft bankable feasibility study (BFS) which management is reviewing. The BFS is expected to be updated and completed in the first quarter of calendar 2017.

CASH AND FACILITIES

At 30 September 2016, the group had R164 million cash on hand and available banking facilities of R330 million.

This update and SENS announcement has not been reviewed or audited by the Company`s auditors.